Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

Ok just got off the phone with MIL so this is a venting post but with good question

I have two 80lbs dogs one a 4 year old Dobi and the other 8 yrs old Huskey.
They are both off leash trained (although its been awhile but they are trained and are good dogs) They have had their issues with each other but lets face it they are dogs and siblings!

They are both very good with kids. The huskey doesn't always realize how big he is and has knocked over my nephew but it was innocent.

My MIL is terrified of my dobi...I dont know why she has one her self!

We were just talking about the baby's room and I said during the day she will be in her crib but at night in the pnp next to my bed. So she says...with the dogs in the room...yes...well what are you going to do in the middle of the night when you have to get up for a bottle leave the baby in the room with the dogs...I said yes!...she replies..oh boy I would never but I guess its all on you....I told her if I have to worry about my dogs for 2 minutes alone in a room (with dh sleeping) then I shouldn't have dogs.

I know first hand what a dog can do to a sleeping baby....(a very unstable pit many years ago who had already bit sever people)...I wont go there! but just know the baby is ok but it wasn't pretty!

I know my dogs and I am nervous about a few things such as baby toys! the noise makers and rattles...afraid the dogs are going to chew them and the dobi is toy possessive!

But if I have to be afraid to leave the room for 2 minutes to get a bottle we have major issues!

Am I over reacting to her or does anyone agree with her?

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

No, she sounds like my MIL...

Obviously you know, as do I from having large dogs, that they are animals first, and we wouldn't put our baby in harm's way on purpose

leaving the room for a second to get a bottle is much different than putting baby on the floor, leaving the room for 10 mins while the dogs are in there

She's probably just trying to look out and help, but expressing it all wrong...just like my MIL does

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

Since I've been listening to it from various people about my dog, I totally understand.
I know my dog is not wonderful around kids - I'm very aware of it. But, I'm not prepared to get rid of the dog before the baby even gets here. She may react completely different to a baby brought into the "pack" as opposed to children visiting, I have to wait and see what happens.
Unless you think the dog is going to dive into the paknplay, you probably have nothing to worry about.
This is your issue to deal with and you are going to have to do it your way - much as we will.
I would probably try to be very aware of how the dogs are acting towards the baby and work from there.

Good luck!

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

Posted by brownie

She's probably just trying to look out and help, but expressing it all wrong...just like my MIL does

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

i'm gonna throw in a different opinion. i think you SHOULD worry about your dogs in the same room even if it's for 2 seconds. it doesn't matter how well trained your dog is, it is an animal. i am not worried about my dogs being near my baby but as a precaution, i will never leave them alone with him or leave the baby on the floor with the dogs. you just never know. any dog can change. whether its a shih tzu or a great dane. doesn't matter what breed.

i do get a lot of sh!t from my MIL saying i need to get rid of my dogs because i have "too many" and they're "just dogs". it makes me wanna punch her in the head because it's constantly that she tells me this. i would never get rid of family, why the hell would i get rid of my dogs? they're pretty well behaved too so i just don't understand it.

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

oh no just to clarify I would never leave the baby alone on the floor not even for a second. She was saying in the bassinet (plus with dh sleeping in the bed) to go into the kitchen to get a bottle.

I wont be able to put the baby on the floor because of the huskey hair! only in her room which I have already started training them to stay out of completely

I do respect everyones thoughts on this! Im looking for the input. Like I said I know of a horror story of a baby sleep in the living room with the entire family was in the kitchen.

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

We have an 11 year old dobi girl and a 7 year old chihuahau boy and we are not overly concerned but will watch how they are with the baby. And we'd never leave them not in something such as the crib or bassinet unattended.

The dobi is very docile and maternal so we're thinking we'll have no problem with her. The chihuahua can be toy and food possesive and although he's a love dog with us, he's not good with new people so he's going to be the one to watch. But when he gets to know you, he loves you. So we're thinking he'll understand that the baby is "ours" in time.

I babysat my cousin's 5 month old and had her in her bouncy seat on the floor. The chihuahua, went upstairs in his bed and never came down again. The dobi put her nose in her face to sniff and check her out and then layed down and did her thing, not really phased.

So yeah, I'd keep an eye on the dogs and see how they adjust/accept and not leave them unattended without some kind of elevated shelter. As you gain trust, you can work in more alone time.

Your MIL and anyone else will and can be concerned but it's your choice, your family.

Re: Those with dogs?? (partial vent too)

just from experience and what friends have done to have their pets adjust....

make sure you have alot of toys out and use them before baby comes... this way your dogs get used to the sound of the rattles and toys being out and about.

when you are in the hopsital make sure your DH brings home a blanket everytime he goes home (my DH did it 3x a day for my dog and cat).

when you do get home, make sure you walk in first (without your DC) and give them praise and love, they missed you. then let DH bring in the baby and gently place DC on the floor in infant carrier and let each dog sniff the baby one at a time.

you would be surprised how well they react and how good they will be.

we all thought my friends 2 labs werent going to do well, bc they arent fondest of kids, and they tend to knock people over and bark all the time, well her son is 3 months old and they adore him and both are very protective of him.